Storm Leonardo battered Portugal on February 5th, resulting in one fatality, the evacuation of hundreds of residents, and widespread flooding, as forecasters warned of an approaching new storm. Meanwhile, Polish authorities detained five individuals linked to a smuggling operation that utilized weather balloons to transport cigarettes from Belarus, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Qatar for energy talks amid rising regional tensions. In Italy, health experts urged the swift return of three children to their Anglo-Australian parents in a child custody dispute. Amazon Web Services (AWS) also reported strong financial results, with its cloud service business recording a 24% year-on-year increase in revenue for the fourth quarter of 2025.
In Portugal, the storm caused significant damage, with a man in his 60s losing his life near Serpa after his car was swept away by floodwater, according to Euronews. Emergency teams responded to over 3,300 incidents since Sunday, including floods, fallen trees, and landslides. Alcácer do Sal was particularly affected, with the main avenue submerged in waist-deep water after the Sado River overflowed. The alert level remained a concern as a new storm was anticipated.
In Poland, the five detainees, including Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Polish nationals, faced charges related to organized crime, violations of air traffic regulations, and supporting aggression against Ukraine, Euronews reported. The suspects could face between nine months and 12 years in prison. The smuggling operation caused millions in tax losses and disrupted air traffic.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to Qatar was part of a broader effort to secure energy and defense partnerships amid rising regional tensions, according to Euronews. Merz stated that fears of a wider regional escalation linked to Iran had shaped his talks with Gulf leaders. He called on Tehran to halt what he described as aggressive behavior and to enter talks aimed at easing tensions.
In Italy, health experts recommended the return of three children to their Anglo-Australian parents, according to Euronews. The report by psychiatrists from the Lanciano-Vasto-Chieti Local Health Authority emphasized the importance of restoring stable family ties for the children.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) concluded 2025 with its strongest quarterly growth rate in over three years, TechCrunch reported. The cloud service business generated $35.6 billion in revenue in the fourth quarter of 2025, a 24% year-on-year increase. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy noted the significance of this growth on a large revenue base, stating, "Its very different having 24 year-over-year growth on 142 billion annualized run rate than to have a higher percentage growth on a meaningfully smaller base, which is the case with our competitors." The annual revenue run rate for the business segment is $142 billion.
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